Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition agreement

[1][2][3] The general election resulted in a hung parliament, with no party emerging with an overall majority in the House of Commons, for the first time in 36 years since February 1974.

As a result, the first and third parties in terms of votes and seats, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats respectively, entered into negotiations with the aim of forming a full coalition, the first since the Second World War.

Of the 57 Liberal Democrat MPs, only two refused to support the Conservative Coalition agreement, with former party leader Charles Kennedy and Manchester Withington MP John Leech both rebelling against.

In spending, the agreement committed the government to a full Spending Review of government including a full Strategic Security and Defence Review to be completed by the Autumn, an increase in National Health Service funding in real terms and funding of disadvantaged pupils from outside the normal education budget.

The section regarding immigration, markedly shorter than all others, merely stated in one paragraph that there would be an annual cap on the number of non-EU workers admitted to live and work in the UK, with the mechanism decided later.

The parties agreed Britain would be a "positive participant" in the European Union, although there would be "no further transfer of sovereignty or powers over the course of the next Parliament", ensured by amendment of the 1972 European Communities Act requiring referendums on future treaties, and requiring primary legislation before any Passerelle clause could be enacted, and through examination of a possible United Kingdom sovereignty bill.

Other reviews, reinforcements and repeals would take place in the fields of the right to trial by jury, the right to non-violent protest, libel laws and freedom of speech, anti-terrorism legislation, regulation of CCTV, storage of internet and email records, and creation of new criminal offences.

Any new coal-fired power stations would be required to implement carbon capture and storage, while the targets for energy from renewable sources would be increased, subject to the advice of the Climate Change Committee.

David Cameron, Nick Clegg, George Osborne, Theresa May and Vince Cable held a press conference at HM Treasury to unveil the final Coalition Agreement.

Of the 57 Liberal Democrat MPs, only two refused to support the Conservative Coalition agreement, with former leader Charles Kennedy and Manchester Withington MP John Leech both rebelling.